June 4th 2009

Do It Now!

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”Matthew 6:31-33

In these difficult economic times many people are worried about their future. Will I still have a job? Will I be able to keep up my mortgage payments? Will my wages be enough to cope with all these increased costs? Problems like these can bring worry, strain relationships, and affect health.

Jesus knew that these kinds of things would concern people all through the ages. He told his listeners that the Father knows that we need these things. We needn’t be anxiously worrying ourselves into ill health over problems that we have no power to fix.

The alternative that Jesus gives to anxious thought, is not just stop worrying, but instead seek God’s kingdom and righteousness. It’s very easy to let our worries occupy our minds and exclude everything else. We try to work to overcome our problems and we are so busy that we put off things like prayer and study. We think that we don’t have the time just now.

Jesus shows us that this is the wrong approach. We need to seek God first, not last. We need to spend time in his presence to gain the strength and confidence to overcome the pressures of life.

It is said that Martin Luther was so busy for God that he could not get all the work done unless he spent at least three hours in prayer.

When the apostles found themselves overburdened, they prayed more. Acts 6:4, “and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”

Don’t put off your time with your Father.
Do it now!

Prayer
Father in heaven, you know we are weak and think we know best. Help us to learn that you are our loving, caring parent, and we must come to you first. Help us to submit our lives to you in loving surrender, and trust you to give us what we need.
Thank you. In Jesus’ name.
Amen